Blendtec Total Blender Review and Yummy Yogurt Smoothie Recipe

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I am going on the record now to tell you a little something.

If we have ever discussed appliances–and I know we have– you’ll know there’s not a single blender on my list of “gotta-have-its”. Anywhere. What, you say? Did you miss it? No. I didn’t. In fact, I haven’t missed a single day without a blender because I’ve never owned a blender I liked in all of my 22 years of owning kitchen appliances.

In fact, I’ve had at least one break, one under-perform and one melt. Yes. Melt.

Not a great track record.

Add to this that most blenders tend to never incorporate all the ingredients, requiring several stoppages to scrape down sides, and, with a square-sided jar, you can be sure that precipitates will amass in the corners. Forget about the disassembled rubber seal falling into the garbage disposal, taking the thing apart to wash it and then cutting your fingers on the not-so-sharp blades. Do you see where I’m going with this? I would rather blend food with my roto-tiller than deal with that.

Yeah.

As you can, then, imagine, when Blendtec asked me if I was interested in reviewing their Blendtec Total Blender WildSide, I was pretty reticent. Bad track record, melting blenders, pieces getting lost, I wasn’t sure I needed any more heart-break. I actually researched this company before agreeing, and I looked at reviews and videos–and even then, after years of being without a blender I wasn’t expecting anything positive to come of this process. I mean come on. I’m the girl who catches my own oven on fire. Occasionally.

Well, guess what. Socks, meet being knocked off of your feet, across the room and almost out of the window.

In fact, once I found my socks again, I was pretty much dumbstruck by how un-blender-like this blender really is.

To whit, I brought this appliance–not yet even plugged in– to my friends’ home for a game night, along with the fixings for fruit and yogurt smoothies. We all stood around the kitchen in a large circle as I plugged in the blender and saw the digital console blink to life. A button for smoothies? Hot diggity! Still… Remember, I hate blenders. After loading up the liquids first, followed by fruit, and then finishing with ice, I affixed the lid and hit “smoothie.” I stood back and, based on previous experience, fully waited for the blender to explode, fall off of the counter or melt.

None of that happened.

In fact, after serving 11 people smoothies (and some seconds), my friends looked sad as I brought the blender home again. I wasn’t. I bounded down the steps to my vehicle with my treasure wrapped in my arms. “MINE!” I shrieked at 11pm in the evening, “MINE MINE! HAHAHAHAHAHA!”

What I love about this blender:

It’s an evolved life form. There are no pieces to disassemble and lose. The 4″ blade is affixed to the bottom of the container.

3 peak horsepower motor with 1560 watts turns ice cubes to snow.

Their jars are BPA-free and contain a vented gripper lid that allows steam to escape while blending warm foods or during a longer cycle.

In fact, don’t tell this thing it’s a blender. It will look at you and laugh. This thing is a powerhouse. It’s what happens when a food processor decides to slim down, get sexy and change every preconceived notion you ever had about a blender. Ever.

A huge giveaway from Blendtec is happening this week, so stay tuned!

And, frankly, for what I paid for all of my blenders and my food processors, I could have owned one of these–and this would have been worth it.

To boot, if you think I’m entertaining, check out their “Will it Blend?” series on Youtube. Here he processes an AirSoft pistol into nothingness (I think I heard my husband sobbing somewhere).

This Blendtec is pretty danged powerful.

Tip: Want even more nutrients? Add a handful of fresh spinach to the jar.

Comments

Oh man….this makes me want one!!! I have a Ninja kitchen system and I like it better than any other blender I’ve had and my food processor. But it still has some of the same problems you mentioned in your review. Thanks for sharing your review with us. Definitely gonna put it on my wish list…and I’ve gotta see how much it costs. Maybe I can save up the money!! LOL

Yes! Exactly what Kathy said…I have the Ninja too, and although it’s better than most blender/processors, the bottom half of the hummus is always creamy smooth while the top half is still working…have to stop & scrape, etc…so it’s SO nice to hear that someone has actually made one that WORKS!! How exciting! It’s on my wish list now too. 🙂

This blender is $399. @ Costco U.S.A.
I have never heard of the brand…my magic bullet died a week ago and Ninja 1100 with individual cups was on sale at Canadian Tire for $99.99 from $149.99… And is on sale again this week! I love it…perhaps my next blender will be the blendtec!

That is one pricey blender, but very cool. I also hate blenders and chucked my last one for a Ninja, which I love (instant lo-carb ice cream – yes!). Yes, if you want to post some of your latest blender recipes, I’m sure some of them are Ninja-adaptable.

Yes, the Blend-tec is expensive, but it is WELL worth the money!! I HIGHLY recommend them!!.My husband and I bought one a year ago, when the company was demonstrating the machine in our local Sam’s Club. I was leery about spending so much money for it, but changed my mind after using it a couple times, making yummy smoothies in the morning.It is also great to make a fresh soup in… just dump all the ingredients in, and let it whirl away….YUM.

I also own a Blend-Tec and it is fabulous! One of my favorite recipes is one of the Tortilla Soup recipes. It uses all fresh ingredients from my garden (and fridge) and I feel like I’m eating in a restaurant. No fuss recipe with no peeling or cutting. Just throw it all in the blender and press “go” Even my 16 yr. old son likes it!

You are a sweetie pie. A low-carb sweetie pie. I just try to own what it’s easy for others to own, and a blender is one of those things most people either own or shop for. I was just sick of sub-standard blenders.

Love, love, love my blendtec. I once said “I can’t believe anyone would spend $400 on a pair of shoes,” and my friend said, “Well you bought a $400 blender.” Huh? Shoes? Blender? There’s no comparison. I was sold when I made hummus in my mom’s. And the smoothies are awesome. There is also a whole juice button. I love smoothies with spinach. I have them every day for breakfast–you can barely taste the spinach. One of my favorite things to make is a cake–you can put all the stuff in, blend, dump out your mix, and clean up and you’re done.

But thanks for the tip about washing the blender with a cup of hot water. I thought you had to fill the whole thing full, and have been doing it that way. I’m going to try tomorrow with just a cup!

A cup of hot water and a drop of dish soap does the trick! I love how easy the clean up is. You know, I used to pooh-pooh the price of appliances, but I find I have gotten what I pay for over the years! Cliche but true…

I have heard that the Blentec is a marvelous blender. My sister-in-law grinds grains in hers to make her breads. She loves it too. I think it sounds as if that would be the ticket to make smoothies and such. Thanks for the offer.

One more question … I have never owned a food processor, other than a tiny little handheld 1-2 cup one. I’ve always wondered how the blendtec pulse button would compare to the results of an actual food processor. Last night I did strawberries on 1 for about 10 seconds and it turned them in to soup. Did you try to do food processor types of things in the blendtec? How did it work out?

Amberly, good question! For the blending, typically you wan to use something like cabbage wedges immersed in water. Then pulse in the water and then drain off the water for processed cabbage. I’m not sure how that might work with strawberries…

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